The dark-haired stranger reaches for your arm and you, bemused, allow him to pull you into a nearby room \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the room with the seal upon the door\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6!<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who are you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d you demand, as soon as you have entered the suite.<\/p>\n
The one-eyed man turns toward you, putting his back against the door. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you not know me, my love? It is I, Duke Dashington, your fianc\u00c3\u00a9!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nonsense,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d you scoff. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never even met you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The goateed man looks stricken, and steps toward you, grasping your shoulders as the tentacle-beasts of Gtarnign grasp their prey, except with far less mucous. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, darling! It is as I had feared! The amnesia has robbed your memory of our love as a thief might rob a delicate jewelry box of a heart-shaped pendant!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aha!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d you intuit. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now I see your plan! You hoped to take advantage of me whilst I was in a memory-less state, but what you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know is that I know who I am, and I know that I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know who you are, and thus you cannot possibly be who you say you are!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Your would-be deceiver looks confused for a moment, but quickly recovers. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I actually am Duke Dashington,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he explains, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re correct that you and I are not affianced. And now that I have witnessed your considerable intellect and powers of reasoning, as well as your astonishing beauty, I am utterly ashamed that I tried such a low, unworthy trick. Indeed, I hope you will forgive me, though I doubt that I could ever forgive myself!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
He blinks his single eye rapidly, and a single, diamond-like tear slides down his cheek.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But before I have the chance to perish from shame, I fear, dear Princess Xanastasia, that you and I are both in imminent danger of perishing from mercenaries!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153O, what shall we do?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d you gasp.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you wield a zathwop bladearm?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the Duke demands.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Indeed I can, sir!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d you assert. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But my true specialty is in the ancient art of Boot Sway. I won many a trophy for my school when I was at the Royal Riadorfan Academy For Young Ladies Of Quality And Distinction!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sweet Proet!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dashington exclaims. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Accomplished as well as beautiful!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
His monocular gaze lingers for a moment upon your lips, and then, before you can react, he has crushed you to his manly chest and pressed his mouth to yours!<\/p>\n
O! How to respond?<\/p>\n